05 Feb 12 The Proper Installation of Cellulose Insulation

Cellulose is based on completely natural materials. It is composed of recycled newsprint and other wood/paper products. Typically it contains at least 75% recycled material. This material is then chemically treated to make it more resistant to mold and fire.

The Advantages of Cellulose Insulation

Because it is manufactured from mostly recycled paper or wood pulp, it is less harmful to the environment than other insulating materials. Fiberglass insulation for example can be harmful if inhaled during installation. It can also be irritating to the skin.

The chemical substances utilized to treat cellulose are all non-hazardous. Most typically boric acid, ammonium sulphate, and borax are used. These compounds have not been found to be dangerous to our health. Along with helping reduce the likelihood of fire in cellulose, these chemical substances also make the insulation material a lot more resistant to mold and mildew. It also aids to keep insects and also other pests out.

Another environmental benefit is the amount of energy used in the manufacture of cellulose. Since so much of the material is recycled, less fossil fuels are burned in order to create it. This is good for our atmosphere. In addition, it affects the overall price of the material since less fuel is used in it’s creation. At one point, blown in cellulose insulation used to be more expensive than fiberglass. Now that trend has reversed, and fiberglass is considerably more expensive.

As a result of the lower impact on the atmosphere, cellulose can be a material that is certainly commonly employed in “green homes” or LEEDS certified properties. Theses houses need to meet certain requirements in not only their general power efficiency, but inside the efficiency with the merchandise and processes utilised in their construction. A lot more and more homes are getting built in this manner.

In terms of its overall effectiveness, cellulose has an R-Value of about 3.3 to 3.8 per inch of material. This is much higher than fiberglass which comes in at about 2.2-2.8 per inch. When properly installed, you can see a dramatic reduction in your energy consumption due to heating and cooling.

An added benefit is it is capacity to insulate sounds as well as heat. A home insulated with cellulose for exterior wall insulation will probably be a lot quieter than a house that employs a fiberglass item. Making use of blown in wall insulation for interior walls can drastically reduce the noise from one area to the subsequent.

There are 4 Varieties of Cellulose Insulation

- Loose fill – Stabilized cellulose – Wall Cavity Spray Insulation – Commercial Spray Insulation

Most new homes employ the loose fill insulation in the attic. For interior and exterior walls the cavity spray is used. This is form of cellulose is somewhat sticky so that it adheres to the walls before sheetrock is applied. Once the insulation is blown in, it must be allowed to dry completely before installation of the drywall can take place. Otherwise there is a possibility of the introduction of mold and mildew. When using blow in insulation for exterior walls, the material is generally applied outside the house by removing tiny pieces of siding or roofing supplies.

How The Insulation Is Applied

So that you can spray cellulose into a wall cavity, it should 1st be wet employing a little quantity of water. This aids the insulation stick for the wall supplies. It truly is blown in such a manner that it forms a full seal, blocking any spaces that may well let air to pass through.

It is recommended to hire a professional for this particular form of insulation. They will have experience with properly mixing the material and ensuring that it fills all possible spaces. Generally a crew of two will handle this work. One to use the hose and blow in the material, while the other breaks up the material and feeds it into the blower hopper. Proper eye and mouth/nose protection should be worn to keep out small particles of cellulose.

Can reduce your energy costs by 25% with blown in wall insulation, then visit Bryan N Victoria’s site on how to choose the best product for your needs.

Tags: cellulose insulation, energy efficiency, energy savings, Family